Life - Michael Teachings Channeling - Q & A http://www.michaelteachings.com/channeling/
Wed, 19 Dec 2018 08:42:37 +0000Life - Michael Teachings Channeling - Q & AenLearning Through Joyhttp://www.michaelteachings.com/channeling/discussion/256/learning-through-joy
Sun, 26 May 2013 15:49:27 +0000Lifeubiquitous256@/channeling/discussionsWhat would be the best way for me to achieve peace of mind, happiness, and learning through joy in this lifetime?

MICHAEL: The goal of living in love is one for the whole cycle of the physical plane experience. It is not just for this lifetime. One way that one can experience 'living through joy' is to cherish each small element of each day. Now, that sounds very easy. But we suggest that you try it for one day. The problem is that human beings tend to suppose that everything that happens to them is in fact a deliberate act, aimed at them. Take for instance the nuisance of finding yourself in a slow moving stream of motor traffic and you are already late for an appointment. It is easy to say Stay calm, you won't be able to change anything anyway, so don't let your anger or resentment bubble up. This, however, is never easy. The stresses of the various elements in this little scene come together to loosen the negative aspects to the point that it is very hard to find any joy in it. We understand this and we sympathize. Do not suppose that we did not have similar experiences any number of lives any number of times. This is a very small example of what may prevent the joy of life from being apparent.

But consider, if you can see through the Maya of the moment and remind yourself of the positive aspects, joy will not be far behind. But, you say, this is not what I had in mind. We know that. But we are using this as a stepping stone toward the larger elements of living in joy. Practice at the lowest levels of life will take you through the harder parts where joy is even less apparent. Just as letting a child choose between a green shirt and a blue one sets him up for making much more demanding choices in later life, so dealing with the small irritations of daily life exercises your ability to maintain your equilibrium and to find yourself balanced. That is the major prerequisite for living in joy: balance. Without it joy cannot be experienced.

THEY ARE OF NO CONSEQUENCE TO THE PERSONALITY. NO, YOU ARE RIGHT AND IF YOU SPEND THE WHOLE LIFE IN PERSONALITY THEN YOU WILL SPEND IT DOING THINGS THAT IT CONSIDERS IMPORTANT. ONLY IF YOU MEET WITH A TEACHING WILL YOU EVER BEGIN TO REALIZE THAT THESE MUNDANE TASKS ARE OF NO CONSEQUENCE. ONLY THEN CAN YOU BEGIN TO WORK ON THOSE ARCANE TASKS WHICH ARE OF MUCH CONSEQUENCE.

SOURCE: Michael Teachings Transcripts]]>
Having Enough of An Experiencehttp://www.michaelteachings.com/channeling/discussion/205/having-enough-of-an-experience
Sat, 25 May 2013 03:00:48 +0000Lifeubiquitous205@/channeling/discussionsWhen has one had enough of an experience? What decides? In personality, one could say it was enough, but would it be enough?

THIS DECISION CANNOT BE MADE FROM PERSONALITY WITH ANY POSITIVE RESULTS. THE ONLY POSITIVE RESULTS EMANATE FROM THE TRUE REALIZATION THAT THIS HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED, BUT [it is] MORE IMPORTANT THAT THE SOUL RECOGNIZES A PATTERN CONTROLLED BY SELF [personality]. THE ESSENCE OR SOUL, AS WE HAVE SAID BEFORE, DOES BECOME ENCRUSTED WITH BARNACLES, AND HAS MUCH TO GO THROUGH TO ACT INTUITIVELY. MOST OF THE TIME ITS POWERS ARE TOTALLY SUPPRESSED, AND IT SPENDS ITS TIME SLUMBERING, AS YOU WELL KNOW. THOSE MOMENTS OF CRYSTAL CLARITY COME ABOUT WHEN IT IS PRODDED INTO WAKEFULNESS BY SOME SHOCK.

SOURCE: Michael Teachings Transcripts]]>
Loving Lifehttp://www.michaelteachings.com/channeling/discussion/175/loving-life
Tue, 21 May 2013 02:18:14 +0000Lifeubiquitous175@/channeling/discussionsMichael has said that by the time we reach 7th old we will be so happy and involved in being alive in the physical plane that we love being here - and then we cycle off. How did this notion develop? What is really meant by "loving it here?" Does that apply regardless of the life circumstances? I.E., can we distinguish between a certain love of the beauty of the physical plane and life itself, vs. the exigencies, difficulties, and generally abrasive experiences some late old fragments have.

You are referring to an oft generalized comment.

When you can love life without the burden of negative attachments or expectations, you have found the equilibrium and there is nothing left to do but flow with the current. In other words, loving life means you have finally accepted it in all of its multifarious guises and costumes; the show is over, so to speak, and you are no longer the playwright arguing with the director about the changes he made to your script.

To further illustrate, we do not mean that fragments will become so enraptured with life that they'll love wasting away with a disease. Instead, a state of acceptance develops where the fragment no longer clings to attachments of misfortune and hardship, and finds a way to love the variegated scenery that life brings -- regardless of the view.

It should come as no surprise that hardships in life are a fundamental part of the physical plane, and while considerable effort may be put forth to alleviate occasional harshness, few fragments ever escape without some cuts and bruises.

Learning to love life in spite of these pitfalls is not about hiding from the struggles, but about facing the adversity without fear. It's a choice if you choose to scream about everything that's wrong with your life, as much as it's a choice if you choose to dwell on those areas that do bring you happiness. We know of fragments who appeared to achieve everything they ever wanted, yet continually allowed any feelings of joy to slip through their grasp. Conversely, we have seen fragments who led lives of terrible poverty find joy in the simplest of pleasures, such as feeding feral cats, or reveling in the warmth of the sun on their back as they picked through garbage. Joy is truly relative.

Loving life does not mean excluding what you perceive as bad, but fearlessly including what you encounter as part of the all-encompassing arc of your existence. In other words, loving life is about finding joy in the struggle. Have you not noticed how vibrant life can feel after a period of pain has passed? It's like a Spring shower that washes away the debris from Winter. There are similar cycles of cleansing in every incarnation: learn to accept them and embrace the feelings of renewal that follows.

CHANNELED BY: David Gregg]]>
Stopping Angerhttp://www.michaelteachings.com/channeling/discussion/144/stopping-anger
Mon, 20 May 2013 22:43:24 +0000Lifeubiquitous144@/channeling/discussionsHow do I stop anger once It occurs?

Dealing with anger once caught within it's throes requires immediate action. Most fragments either express their rage with great abandon or repress the expression, storing it for later. A less stressful approach is to simply ground yourself against the charge. This idea is similar to the way a lightning rod works, where the rod offers a low resistance path that directs any harmful electrical currents away from a structure and into the ground.

To make yourself into a human lightning rod that neutralizes angry feelings, your body must become a conductor that re-directs the energy into the Earth.

We suggest the following:

Stand straight, but not rigid, and let your arms dangle loosely. The natural tendency during a bout of anger is to tense the body like a snake coiling to strike, but that only intensifies the anger and pushes it to the breaking point. Relaxing the muscles, however, stops the energy from reaching a critical mass, which then allows the negative charge to flow through your body unobstructed till it dissipates harmlessly. The angry feelings may run up and down your body for a short duration, but if you remain loose and relaxed -- almost like a rag doll -- your body will provide a low resistance path for the charge to pass through and eventually the intensity of the energy will fade.

CHANNELED BY: David Gregg]]>
Live in the Presenthttp://www.michaelteachings.com/channeling/discussion/143/live-in-the-present
Mon, 20 May 2013 22:39:19 +0000Lifeubiquitous143@/channeling/discussionsLiving in the present could aptly be described as a contented cat that's curled into a ball and warming itself by a fire. Much can be learned by observing cats. They live in the present more than any creature we know. All animals live in the present, of course, but cats in particular have turned it into an art form. Neither concerned about the past or the future, cats forever focus on the "now." With a grace and agility in life similar to a ballet dancer, the cat dances through its existence as if the music never stops. This may sound exhausting to some of you, but understand that the cat is a creature of the moment; it never concerns itself with future moments or moments that have slipped away. The cat simply IS.

We see living in the past, on the other hand, as a giant canvas, splashed chaotically with the emotions of distant yearnings, lost relationships, and self-resurrecting fears. Much can be gained, of course, by honoring lessons learned in the past, but to escape those ghost worlds of former selves -- even selves from only five minutes ago -- it's important to release the shackles of WHAT WAS.

Conversely, living in the future is like hanging a frame on your wall without a canvas. You anxiously live your life concerned about the canvas not painted, yet continue to decorate your walls with empty frames. Only in the present will your painting -- one brush stroke at a time -- reach completion.

A suggested exercise (if you're not averse to taking a walk) can be found on your local park bench. First, find your bench. Then, quiet your mind and just LISTEN.

Imagine every sound you hear as a musical instrument and listen to the uniqueness of each rhythmic phrase. Every sound you hear sings the symphony of the present: you can hear it in the plaintive whisper of the leaves, in the festive interludes of birds, or the playful prattle of children. And if you listen carefully, a world that has long escaped you will gradually reveal itself.

Although it may not be convenient, the enterprising among you could try this with all five of the senses. The goal, however, is to tune your awareness to whatever happens in the present moment. For example, how many instruments in this symphony, figuratively speaking, can you hear, see, touch, taste, and feel?

After you have the musical score of this grand work stretched out in front of you, imagine yourself actually playing the instruments that you sense: be the tree that bends in an ancient posture of servitude; be the crow that mocks with pundits from above; be the muddy pond that patiently waits below; be the silence that drifts over the park in sleepy shadows.

To live in the present you only need to sense the pulse of everything around you -- this is the rhythm of life. And when you live in the present, YOU are the conductor.

Channeled by David Gregg]]>
Motivationhttp://www.michaelteachings.com/channeling/discussion/141/motivation
Mon, 20 May 2013 22:33:53 +0000Lifeubiquitous141@/channeling/discussionsWhat are some good ways for people who lack motivation to do things that they don't love to do but need to do? How can people cause themselves to be interested in things that they consider boring?

MICHAEL: One approach is to view boring, repetitive activities as spiritual exercises to practice focusing the mind. Sometimes people repeat mantras to transcend the physical; repetitive tasks could be used like mantras.

How can people who take good care of their health gain that energy and vigor that so many people seem to possess?

MICHAEL: Athletic training can be helpful here. Those who think they don't like exercise might find a form of it they do like.

Casual team sports can turn exercise into a social event.

CHANNELED BY: Shepherd Hoodwin]]>
Life On Other Planeshttp://www.michaelteachings.com/channeling/discussion/14/life-on-other-planes
Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:00:08 +0000Lifeubiquitous14@/channeling/discussionsQ: We all know the basic day-to-day activities that people in physical existence endure. I'm wondering what the common activities are for people living on the astral, causal, and any other planes of existence. I have not seen much information about this in the Michael books.

MICHAEL: On the astral plane, there is much study, especially for those who are between lifetimes, because physical incarnation itself is a form of practical study, so research relative to what has been encountered and what might be expected in the future can be useful. Many souls also help those still on the physical plane either as guides or more generally helping maintain the learning environment so that the "school" continues to be available as long as it's needed.

The causal plane is not so much a place of study as it is one of exploring the nature of thought forms themselves and how they create reality. There continues to be interaction with the physical plane as well as with students on the astral, especially emphasizing helping evolve belief systems.

The higher planes are no so much about doing as being; in that, they are more feminine, and the lower planes, more masculine. Those who dwell on the higher planes don't interact with the lower planes directly as much as provide the "machinery" for their evolution.

CHANNELED BY: Shepherd Hoodwin]]>
Living In The Presenthttp://www.michaelteachings.com/channeling/discussion/13/living-in-the-present
Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:57:01 +0000Lifeubiquitous13@/channeling/discussionsLiving in the present could aptly be described as a contented cat that's curled into a ball and warming itself by a fire. Much can be learned by observing cats. They live in the present more than any creature we know. All animals live in the present, of course, but cats in particular have turned it into an art form. Neither concerned about the past or the future, cats forever focus on the "now." With a grace and agility in life similar to a ballet dancer, the cat dances through its existence as if the music never stops. This may sound exhausting to some of you, but understand that the cat is a creature of the moment; it never concerns itself with future moments or moments that have slipped away. The cat simply IS.

We see living in the past, on the other hand, as a giant canvas, splashed chaotically with the emotions of distant yearnings, lost relationships, and self-resurrecting fears. Much can be gained, of course, by honoring lessons learned in the past, but to escape those ghost worlds of former selves -- even selves from only five minutes ago -- it's important to release the shackles of WHAT WAS.

Conversely, living in the future is like hanging a frame on your wall without a canvas. You anxiously live your life concerned about the canvas not painted, yet continue to decorate your walls with empty frames. Only in the present will your painting -- one brush stroke at a time -- reach completion.

A suggested exercise (if you're not averse to taking a walk) can be found on your local park bench. First, find your bench. Then, quiet your mind and just LISTEN.

Imagine every sound you hear as a musical instrument and listen to the uniqueness of each rhythmic phrase. Every sound you hear sings the symphony of the present: you can hear it in the plaintive whisper of the leaves, in the festive interludes of birds, or the playful prattle of children. And if you listen carefully, a world that has long escaped you will gradually reveal itself.

Although it may not be convenient, the enterprising among you could try this with all five of the senses. The goal, however, is to tune your awareness to whatever happens in the present moment. For example, how many instruments in this symphony, figuratively speaking, can you hear, see, touch, taste, and feel?

After you have the musical score of this grand work stretched out in front of you, imagine yourself actually playing the instruments that you sense: be the tree that bends in an ancient posture of servitude; be the crow that mocks with pundits from above; be the muddy pond that patiently waits below; be the silence that drifts over the park in sleepy shadows.

To live in the present you only need to sense the pulse of everything around you -- this is the rhythm of life. And when you live in the present, YOU are the conductor.

Channeled by David Gregg]]>
Life Is Sacredhttp://www.michaelteachings.com/channeling/discussion/12/life-is-sacred
Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:52:15 +0000Lifeubiquitous12@/channeling/discussionsWe say with a certain irony that many fragments never realize the true beauty of life until they reach their final moments. In these fleeting seconds of consciousness, as they gasp to fill their lungs with one last gulp of air, the poignant realization -- at least in a physical sense -- is that in spite of incessant preoccupations with work, relationships, family, and a quest for a minutia of details that swallows up every waking moment, the meaning of life is simply life itself, and the only expectation for every fragment that inhabits a body, is to live.

Life, therefore, in its own definition, is sacred. No greater expression of the Tao exists than in the limitless pulsation of life that animates the body of every man and creature. To see life gazing back at you in the eyes of another is to see a reflection of the same life force that animates your own soul.

Indeed, sometimes you learn to appreciate the sacredness of life by coming face to face with your own mortality. For the fragments who know they have reached the end, life can suddenly surge with a vibrancy never seen before. All of the senses explode with a new realization of beauty, and there's often a desperate attempt to capture those sensations in mental photographs before the consciousness snuffs itself out.

The sad question then posed by the dying fragment is: why did I wait so long?

We do not mean to imply you should expedite your demise in order to come to this realization, but for the sake of this exercise, allow your imagination to take you there with the following:

Try to imagine you have just received word from your doctor that you only have one day left to live. Even attempt to feel the shock and dismay of the doctor's news. Pay particular attention, however, to your disappointments:

What things will you miss? What regrets do you have? What would you do differently if you were given a chance to start your life anew?

At first you may find these questions frivolous, but if approached seriously, your answers could be quite revealing. The goal is to learn about the things you take for granted in life, and learn how to make choices that are better aligned with the intentions of essence.

Some of our students have wondered about this, and have asked if life can indeed quench the thirst of the soul. But as a cup of water can hydrate the body and ensure its continued vitality, life is the vessel that replenishes the soul with the greatest gift the Tao can give: experience.

As we've said many times before, nothing is ever wasted; but nothing is gained, either, if the greatest gift you ever receive is squandered with little gratitude towards the giver.

We should clarify, however, that life is not sacred for reasons of religious exaltation; life is sacred because it is YOURS. And in your life it is a choice if you choose to be the creator or the destroyer. Although there is much that can be learned from either choice.